JOINT STATEMENT FROM BOSTON BALLET CHAIRMAN RICHARD DAVIS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VALERIE WILDER
March 10, 2008
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After five-and-a-half years as Executive Director of the Boston Ballet, Valerie Wilder has decided to step down at the conclusion of the current season. A transitional period has been carefully planned during which Mikko Nissinen, the Ballet’s Artistic Director, will take on the additional responsibilities of interim Executive Director. The Ballet’s Board of Directors, under its Chair Richard Davis, will simultaneously conduct a national search for Valerie’s successor.
Valerie Wilder has been Executive Director since 2002 and, in partnership with Mikko Nissinen, has reaffirmed Boston Ballet’s stature as one of the leading ballet companies in the world. Her tenure has been a time of remarkable achievement.
The Ballet is at its highest level of artistic quality, and successfully conducted its first international tour in 15 years, a six-week visit last year to Spain.
Subscribers to the Ballet have increased during the past year by more than 30%.
Fundraising and endowment have increased significantly, including the successful completion of a three-year $35 million comprehensive campaign that secured the largest individual gifts in the Ballet’s history.
At Boston Ballet School – the largest dance school in North America – new levels of enrollment in all age categories have been achieved along with a continued record of community service and financial contribution to the institution.
Under the most challenging circumstances, the Company successfully relocated its production of The Nutcracker to the Colonial Theatre in 2004 and finally to the Opera House in 2005
“I’ve enjoyed the past five years enormously and take great pride in my work with Mikko in accomplishing many of the goals that we envisioned for Boston Ballet,” said Valerie Wilder. “I am exploring a number of exciting opportunities in the nonprofit world, but in the near term will be overseeing several arts consulting projects.”
“The Board of the Boston Ballet is very grateful to Valerie for all her very hard work and accomplishments,” said Board Chair Richard Davis. “We will now build upon those achievements as we continue to strengthen the company and enhance its reputation as one of the great ballets in the world. Under Mikko’s artistic leadership, we think that the sky’s the limit for this wonderful organization.”
“It’s been my great pleasure to work in partnership with Valerie to elevate the artistry and potential of this extraordinary ballet company,” said Mikko Nissinen. “I look forward to continuing that work and to achieving new heights in the dance world in the seasons ahead.”
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